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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Numbers 3 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/numbers/3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/numbers/3-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">NIV</a> > Numbers 3</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="../numbers/2.htm" title="Numbers 2">◄</a> Numbers 3 <a href="../numbers/4.htm" title="Numbers 4">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/numbers/3.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="sectionhead">The Levites</p><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses at the time the <span class="name">Lord</span> spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Those were the names of Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the <span class="name">Lord</span> when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span> said to Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>They are to take care of all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint (see also 8:16) to me">a</a></sup></span> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span> also said to Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>“I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether human or animal. They are to be mine. I am the <span class="name">Lord</span>.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span> said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>“Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more.” <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p> <div class="outlinelist"><p class="item1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>These were the names of the sons of Levi:</p><p class="item2">Gershon, Kohath and Merari.</p> <p class="item1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>These were the names of the Gershonite clans:</p><p class="item2">Libni and Shimei.</p> <p class="item1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>The Kohathite clans:</p><p class="item2">Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.</p> <p class="item1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>The Merarite clans:</p><p class="item2">Mahli and Mushi.</p></div><p class="pconclusion">These were the Levite clans, according to their families.</p> <div class="minorsection"><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>To Gershon belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites; these were the Gershonite clans. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>At the tent of meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the tent of meeting, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and the ropes—and everything related to their use.</p></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites; these were the Kohathite clans. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts 8,300">b</a></sup></span> The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>They were responsible for the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain, and everything related to their use. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary.</p></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 6,200. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-36.htm"><b>36</b></a></span>The Merarites were appointed to take care of the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-37.htm"><b>37</b></a></span>as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs and ropes.</p></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-38.htm"><b>38</b></a></span>Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the tent of meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.</p></div> <div class="minorsection"><p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-39.htm"><b>39</b></a></span>The total number of Levites counted at the <span class="name">Lord</span>’s command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000.</p></div> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-40.htm"><b>40</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span> said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more and make a list of their names. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-41.htm"><b>41</b></a></span>Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the <span class="name">Lord</span>.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-42.htm"><b>42</b></a></span>So Moses counted all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the <span class="name">Lord</span> commanded him. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-43.htm"><b>43</b></a></span>The total number of firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-44.htm"><b>44</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span> also said to Moses, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-45.htm"><b>45</b></a></span>“Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine. I am the <span class="name">Lord</span>. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-46.htm"><b>46</b></a></span>To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-47.htm"><b>47</b></a></span>collect five shekels <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams">c</a></sup></span> for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-48.htm"><b>48</b></a></span>Give the money for the redemption of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons.”</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-49.htm"><b>49</b></a></span>So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-50.htm"><b>50</b></a></span>From the firstborn of the Israelites he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels, <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="That is, about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms">d</a></sup></span> according to the sanctuary shekel. <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/numbers/3-51.htm"><b>51</b></a></span>Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the <span class="name">Lord</span>.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">9</span> <span class="footnotebot">Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint (see also 8:16) <i>to me</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">28</span> <span class="footnotebot">Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts <i>8,300</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">c</span> <span class="fnverse">47</span> <span class="footnotebot">That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">d</span> <span class="fnverse">50</span> <span class="footnotebot">That is, about 35 pounds or about 16 kilograms</span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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